The excitement of Torah and Judaism for all ages...
Rediscover your rich religious and cultural heritage at Temple Beth Or
Click HERE for the Shabbat Worship Schedule
Temple Beth Or, 2007-2008
In Jewish tradition, a synagogue is defined in three ways: beit t’filah, a house of worship; beit midrash, a house of study; and beit knesset, a house of assembly. Temple Beth Or facilitates finding meaningful connections with God, lifelong learning and a welcoming congregational home for members of diverse ages and backgrounds.
Beit T’filah – our House of Worship:
At Temple Beth Or worship is participatory and vibrant. We believe that prayer is not a “spectator sport” and encourage congregational participation in all areas of worship. We welcome young and old to lead services and read Torah. Be it in our formal artistic sanctuary to our woodsy outdoor chapel, our members learn early on that the bima is their home. Our worship experiences vary from formal Sabbath services, to healing services; from interactive youth experiences to meditative drumming circles, making prayer relevant for Jews of every age and every style.
Beit Midrash – our House of Study:
Learning is what Jews do. We strive to learn and to teach, to debate and to engage in the study of Jewish texts, history and heritage in an atmosphere of joy, intellectual honesty, inquiry and depth. From our popular verse by verse Torah study, to spirituality classes; from our Mind, Body, Spirit Adult Educational Series, to adult Hebrew classes for beginners, prayer book Hebrew, and Torah trope;; from parenting classes to interfaith support groups, Temple Beth Or seeks to instill the love of learning in every Jew of every age and at every level of expertise. Nowhere is it more true, “Two, Jews, three opinions.” At Temple Beth Or we value debate, political discourse and gleaning the truth from our sacred sources and the Jewish historical experience.
Beit Knesset – Our House of Assembly:
In our increasingly mobile society, Temple Beth Or prides itself on the warmth and friendliness of our leadership and our members. Like Abraham and Sarah, we open our tent wide to welcome the stranger in our midst. Often an untrained or un-affiliated Jew, a non-Jew seeking entry into our faith, or an interfaith family has felt alienated from the more established Jewish community. Temple Beth Or creates a warm, safe environment for anyone searching for an entry-point into Jewish life. Temple Beth Or is a family affair. If you are in Dayton without your extended family, we create opportunities to “adopt” family members and create significant and meaningful extended family relationships right here within our community!
Shabbat Worship Schedule Temple Beth Or, 2007-2008
FIRST FRIDAY
SHABBAT BINAH – SABBATH OF LEARNING
7:30 p.m.
Our first Shabbat service of the month will include instruction in basic prayers, customs and music, providing an opportunity to learn both the language as well as the meaning of our Sabbath liturgy. Cantor Dumtschin will teach traditional prayers and songs, while Rabbi Chessin will discuss the themes of the liturgy and the weekly Torah Portion.
SECOND FRIDAY
Two opportunities for Sabbath gathering:
1) SHABBAT NESHAMAH - SOUL SABBATH:
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
his Kabbalat Shabbat service, led by Rabbi David Burstein, will refresh the soul after a busy week of work. Partake of rituals and prayers to welcome the Sabbath and one another. Participants can then follow up with their own home Sabbath dinner rituals or may choose to go out and dine together in Sabbath fellowship.
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2) SHABBAT SIMCHA - SABBATH OF CELEBRATION:
7:30 –8:30 p.m.
Celebrate the growing independence and Jewish literacy of our Religious School Classes as they lead us in worship. Shabbat Simcha will also feature Temple Beth Or’s talented Youth Choir.
THIRD Friday
SHABBAT SHIRAH – our SABBATH OF SONG:
7:30 p.m.
Sabbath worship will reflect the diversity and depth of music within Jewish worship led by our Temple Choir with sermonic themes of topical, political, cultural and religious interest. To enhance our experience, our Oneg Shabbat, will take place prior to Sabbath services at 6:30 p.m., with our new SHA’AT-SIMCHA – Happy Hour including wine, cheese, fruit and communal gathering and fellowship starting at 6:30 p.m.
FOURTH FRIDAY
SHABBAT MISHPACHA – SABBATH OF FAMILY:
6:30 p.m.
creating an opportunity for our Temple Beth Or families to gather around the Sabbath table for a festive pot-luck Sabbath meal. We will bless the Sabbath and one another, and our healthy meal will be followed by a heimish warm) Shabbat service including stories, prayer and song.
FIFTH FRIDAY
SHABBAT CHAVURAH
Sabbath of FELLOWSHIP allows us to gather in small like-minded groups for our own special interests prior to dinner and worship. The event will open at 5:30 p.m. with guided learning on topics of individual interest: meditation, music and learning. Then we will gather as one large group 6:30 for a festive catered Shabbat dinner, followed by a 7:30 creative worship experience featuring our Temple’s band, Groyser Tummel. Come to all or just part of this wonderful evening. (November 30, February 29 and May 30)